- Whereas, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is committed to
educating all its students so that each student will contribute to and
benefit from our diverse society;
- Whereas, using the initiative process to make curricular decisions is
inappropriate and could be harmful;
- Whereas, the LAUSD recognizes its legal obligation to take appropriate
action to overcome language barriers that impede equal participation by
its students in its instructional programs;
- Whereas, bilingual education programs have been part of our American
educational history since the nineteenth century when bilingual education
was provided to immigrants from Germany, Sweden, France, Italy and
other countries;
- Whereas, the use of the student's language for instruction (bilingual
education) is one of several teaching methods which have been used
successfully by the LAUSD to ensure that English learners become
literate in English, gain access to the core curriculum and provide a
positive self- image;
- Whereas, pursuant to the LAUSD's Master Plan for English Learners,
students are tested to determine which teaching methodology would be best
for the students;
- Whereas, participation in any of the Master Plan programs is voluntary
and parents have the final say as to which program their child will be
assigned;
- Whereas, the proposed Unz initiative severely limits options suited to the
very varied needs of our non-English and limited English speaking
students;
- Whereas, the proposed "English Language Education for Immigrant
Children" initiative (the Unz initiative) would unduly limit local choice
by school districts and parents and interferes with our school-based
management and LEARN schools' right to make decisions for their schools
relative to educational programs for their children;
- Whereas, total immersion practices at the beginning of this century in
large city school districts such as New York City resulted in failure and
an increased dropout rate; now, therefore be it
- Resolved, that the Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles go on
record in opposition to the proposed Unz initiative;
- Resolved, that the Board of Education reaffirm its commitment to continue
to search for best methods by which to meet the academic and other
educational needs of all its students, including its English learners;
- Resolved, that the Board of Education direct the Superintendent to make
information available to the Los Angeles community on the demographics
and academic and language needs of our English learner students; the role
of bilingual education programs in meeting those students' needs; and
what improvements could be made;
- Resolved further, that the Board of Education direct the Superintendent to
prepare an informative on the impact of the proposed Unz initiative on its
teaching personnel and on its ability to meet the needs of all our students;
and be it
- Resolved further, that the Board of Education direct the Superintendent to
prepare an evaluation of the potential Constitutional and other legal
aspects of this initiative.